Machine for connecting upholstery springs with each other



7 Sheets-Sheet 1 M La I Uh m ct. 27, 1936. C D GlLMQRE -MACHIHE EOE coNNEcTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS wITH EACHl OTHER Filed June 11, 1954 l .II x .i 1,7\ wm @EN EN www E EE E v v LIN Lib RN 1 NN.. E H m Oct. 27, 1936. c. D. GlLMoRE MACHINE FOR CONNECTING- UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER 7 sheets-sheet 2 Filed June ll, 1934 Oct. 2 7, 1936. c, D. GlLMoRE MACHINE FOR CONNECTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 lFiled June ll, 1934 Oct. 27', 1936. c, D. GILMORE MACHINE FOR CONNECTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER 1934 7 Sheets-SheetI 4 Filed June l1 Oct; 27', 1936. c. D. GlLMoRE 2,058,679

MACHINE FOR CONNECTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER Filed June 11, l1934 'l sheets-sheet 5 MACHINE FOR CONNEGTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER Filed June 11, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct 27, 1936- c. D. GlLMoRE MACHINE FOR CONNECTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER 'Filed June 11, 1934 'rsheets-shet 7 Patented Oct. 27, 1936 PATENT oFFicE MACHINE FOR CONNECTING UPHOLSTERY SPRINGS WITH EACH OTHER Chace D. Gilmore, West Chester, Pa., assigner to Peerless Springs, Pa., a corporation Application Jline 11,

31 Claims.

`The invention relates particularly to a machine to be used in the manufacture of spring assemblies for upholstery and more particularly to a machine adapted to coil the terminal end of one spring about the end coil of a companion spring,

to provide a pivotal `connection l between said springs.

The particular object of the present invention is to provide a simple and eflicient machine for effecting the coiling of the `terminal end of one spring of the type that is delivered from the conventional ,spring producing machine, commonly known as a coiler, and which is devoid of. any distortion or modication in shape, about the similarly undistorted end coil of a companion spring in such manner as to provide a permanent pivotal connection between said springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type specified which will effect the coiling of the terminal end of one spring about an end-coilof another spring so tightly as to eliminate any free movement of said springs relatively to each other while providing a suitable pivotal connection between the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type specied which will effect bending of .that portion of a wire or spring endcoil which is to be embraced by the connecting coil of a companion spring in order to provide a means for preventing a sliding movement of said connecting coil along said wire or end-coil.

l, Anotherobject of the `invention is to provide a machine of the type specified wherein the end coil of the spring, about which the terminal end of an adjacent spring is to be coiled, which will effect a slight distortion of said rst-named endcoil along that portion, thereof, which is to be embraced by the coiling of the terminal end oi the companion spring about the same substantially simultaneously with the coiling operation and as a substantially coincident step with the coiling operation.

` Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type specified which may be adjusted readily and quickly to operate on wire of different gauges.

A-further object of the invention is to provide wire clamping means cooperating with the knotting mechanism for holding the portions of the springs to be knotted together against relative movement-during the knotting operation and to include in `the mechanism for actuating the clamping means, a means whereby said clamping means may adjust itself to misplacement of either of the spring portionsiengaged' by the saine.A

Incorporated, West Chester, of Pennsylvania 1934, Serial No. 730,052

The invention comprehends also the provision o'f means for preventing broken ends of springs from lbecoming lodged in operative portions of the machine.

A suitable embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a machine of the type indicated above and constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are vertical transverse sectional views of the same on the lines 2 2, 3 3, 4 4 and 5 5, respectively, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the machine partly in section.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the machine seen from the right hand side of the same.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail plan sectional View of a diagrammatic character taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l is a fragmentary detail view in elevation partly in section, showing the pivotal connection between a pair of upholstery springs as eiTected by the said machine.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional View on the line H H of Fig. 10.

Fig. l2 is a perspective view showing the head member of the machine which affords a bearing for the coiling head thereof and also a clamping plate for cooperation with a companion Wireclamping member of the machine.

Fig. 13 is a perspective View on an enlarged scale of the coiling head of the machine.

Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are sectional views of the coiling head taken on the lines l2 l2, I3 I3, M Id, l |5 and iB lS, respectively of Fig. 13.

Fig. 17 is a Vertical transverse sectional view of the coiling head on the line Il l'l of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspective View looking down upon the portion of the machine projecting through the table and showing the positions of springs during the operation of the machine.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side elevation of the exposed portion of the machine showing the relative positions of parts at the instant that the clamping plunger attains its Wire-clamping position. l

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of a clamping member of the machine.

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional View of the same on the line 2l 2| of Fig. 20. 5

' and consequently,

Fig. 22 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 23--23 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 24 is a detail plan sectional view on the line 24-24 of Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a perspective View of the floating bearing shown in Fig. 22.

The machine and its operation, together with the objects of the invention recited above and such other objects as will appear from the following description, will be best understood from a preliminary brief description of that portion of the machine which performs the main operation, the remainder of the machine constituting the driving and control means for this particular part of the mechanism,

Reference being had first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the coiler head gear wheel which comprises the gear teeth I integral with and projecting from a cylindrical member 2, (shown in detail in Figs. 13 to 17), is journalled in a bearing 3 shown in Fig. 12 in the front portion 4 of a head 5.

The said cylindrical member 2 is provided in one side with a slot 6 which extends radially of and over the entire length of said member 2, said slot being bordered by two of the gear teeth I and extending to the axis of the member 2 at one end thereof. The gear-teeth travel in an arcuate groove I of the bearing 3 to prevent longitudinal movement of the member 2 relatively to the said head 4.

The said slot 6 merges into a flared mouth portion I3 in what may be termed the rear end portion of the member 2-(see Figs. 13, 15 and 16), which accommodates the arcuate portion of the end coil of one of the springs as shown in Fig. 9 and permits the member 2 to rotate about the same freely, said slot being also ared slightly along its mouth.

By reference to Figs. 13 and 17, it will be noted that the said member 2 is provided in one side with a longitudinal recess 8 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 16 and shown in full lines in Fig. 15.

The mouth of the recess 8 and the narrowest end of the slot 6 are opposed to a vertically reciprocable wire-clamping plunger 9 which is spaced from the member 2 a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil to be formed in the machine.

Said plunger cooperates with a companion clamping plate Il] rigid with the head 4 to clamp a portion of an end coil of a spring which has been inserted into the slot and also the terminal portion of a companion spring inserted into the said recess 8 to hold said spring portions rmly during operation of the machine.

The said clamping elements 9 and III are positioned relatively to the axis of the member 2 for cooperation with the axial terminus of the said slot 6 to bend an offset in said end coil of said spring and also to hold the latter and the terminus of the companion spring rigidly in the desired position while the latter is coiled about the offset so formed. This function of the member 9 is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 in which there is indicated also in dotted lines, the initial position of the said terminal end portion of the companion spring as inserted into the recess 8. The depth of the latter determines the length of wire which is to be coiled about the companion spring, as shown in Fig. 8 determines the number of turns or convolutions which are formed about said companion spring during the rotation of the member 2, the completed connection being shown in Figs. 10 and 11 and also at the top of Fig. 9 wherein the initial relative positions of the springs with respect to the member 2 are also illustrated in plan section.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. l0 that the terminal part of one spring is coiled twice about the offset or bent portion of the end coil of the companion spring and that the extreme end of the' coil is positioned to project in the direction of the opposite end of the spring about which said coil is formed.

Accordingly, it will be understood that at each coiling operation, the member 2 will rotate through the number of revolutions required to complete the selected number of coils of one of the springs about the companion spring. The said terminal lportion is gradually withdrawn from the recess 8 as it is Wound about the companion spring, the extreme end portion of said terminal portion being eventually engaged by the projection II of the member 2 which is clearly shown in Fig. 13 as presenting a shoulder I2 extending parallel with a side wall of the slot 6 and terminating in arcuate end portions which are tangential to said shoulder and to the circumferential surface of said member 2.

The portion of the slot 6 of the member 2 which is opposed to the plunger 9 is of a width corresponding substantially with the gauge of the wire to be received therein and said shoulder I2 is spaced from the said slot a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the wire to bc coiled about the companion wire or spring.

By reference to Figs. 13 and 15, it will be noted that the mouth of recess 8 terminates in a somewhat ilared portion I4 and lies in a recess I5 in the front end wall of said member 2 contiguous to the said slot 6.

The gear teeth of the member 2 mesh with the spur gear wheel I6 mounted on the shaft I'I. The said shaft I'I is also equipped with a spur gear pinion I8 meshing with an idle gear I9 on a stud shaft 2D and this in turn meshes with a spur gear wheel 2I mounted on lthe drive shaft 22 of the machine. Loosely mounted on the shaft 22 is a pulley 23 which represents the driving element, it being understood, of course, that any equivalent of the pulley 23 may be substituted for the same without departing from the invention.

Interposed between the pulley 23 and the said shaft 22 is a clutch of the type used in punch presses. The said clutch is thrown into position to cause the shaft 22 to be rotated by the pulley 23 when the link 24 (Fig. l), is forced down by means of a foot lever, or the like which is omitted from illustration. The punch-press type clutch is self-releasing after having completed a single revolution and thus returns the shaft driven thereby to normal position. The tension spring 25 constitutes a well known element of the clutch.

As the punch-press type clutch is Well known in the art, specic illustration and description thereof are omitted.

The gear ratio between the shaft 22 and the shaft I'I is substantially such, in the instance illustrated, that the shaft I'I will make three revolutions to one revolution of the shaft 22. This .gear ratio is required to form a coil of two or less than three convolutions and may be Varied to accord with a larger or smaller number of such convolutions.

Mounted on the shaft 22 is a brake-drum 26 upon which a brake shoe bears, the latter being carried by a bar 21 which, as shown in Fig. 3, is secured at one end to a bracket 28 at one end of the machine frame and at its other end is engaged with an adjusting device comprising a knurled nut 29 threaded upon a member 3D secured to the bracket 3l of the machine frame, the hub portion 32 of the nut 29 being pivotally engaged with the other end of the said bar or lever 2l. The purpose of the brake shoe is to prevent the mechanism from being carried by momentum beyond the stopping point determined by the punch-press clutch aforesaid.

The shaft 22 is coupled to a shaft 33 which is axially aligned therewith by means of a shaft coupling 54 of any suitable type. Rigid with the shift 35 is a sleeve 35 upon which a cam 35 is mounted, the latter being shown in elevation in Fig. 2.

It will be noted that said cam has a surface concentric with the axis through an arc of substantially 330 degrees and that the remaining portion thereof comprises a straight surface 3l terminating in an arcuate surface 58. The antifriction roller 39 carried upon the lower end of the vertically reciprocable plunger d@ rests normally upon said flat portion 3l of the said cam contiguous to the arcuate portion 38 and supports the said plunger l5 at the lower level of its movement.

The said plunger Il@ carries the plunger 9 which is provided between its ends with an opening in -which the spherical end portion 4l of a lever 42 engages. The latter is pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin l5 carried by a bracket 44 of the machine frame and is engaged between its point of engagement With said pin 53 and said spherical head M with one end of a tension spring 45 which is anchored to a bracket 46 of the machine frame and serves to force the plungers 9 and lll to the lower limit of their point of movement.

The head or block 5 shown in Fig. 12 comprises the portions heretofore described and the oblong base portion which is tted into a recess of corresponding shape in the machine frame. Said head 5 is provided adjacent one end thereof and in its lower face and one side face thereof, with a recess 4l and, contiguous to its other end portion, with a substantially triangular slot i8 extending from one of its side faces inwardly to a point contiguous to the other side face thereof, said slot d8 presents a at base surface 45 between arcuate lower corner portions 55; said ilat portion l5 being directly underneath the arcuate apex portion 5| of said slot.

By reference to Figs. 12 and 6, it will be noted that the portion il of the head 5 is provide-d with a side extension portion 52 which carries the plate l opposed to the upper face of the plunger 9 and which co--acts with the latter to clamp and hold the wires to be connected as above described.

The machine frame is secured to the lower face of a table 53 which is covered with a plate 54 of sheet-metal and is provided with an opening through which portions of the machine frame and machine parts project. The said sheet-metal plate 54 is bent or formed to provide a recess 55 at one side of the head Ll, the machine frame at this point presenting a flat horizontal surface 55 level with the rear flat surface portion of the head 5 which is disposed at an elevation above the level of the said sheet-metal plate 54; the said several surfaces being provided so that the operator may handle the springs Vto be coupled and the articulate rows of the same as gradually completed, with ease and rapidity. The recess 55 permits the operator to insert fingers underneath the springs being operated upon.

The head 5 is clamped rmly in place by means of the crank-shaft 5l which extends through the said slot 48 and through the circular opening 59 connecting said slot with the opposite face of the head 5 and. into a bearing in the machine frame. Along the portion of said shaft which is opposed t the flat surface 49 of the slot 48, the said shaft 57 is rendered eccentric, so that upon rotating the same in one direction, this eccentric portion 58 thereof, will bear heavily upon said surface Il9 and clamp said head against longitudinal movements.

The position of the head is adjustable longitudinally to bring it into the exact position relatively to the spur gear l of the shaft l? required to cause the slot 6 of the member 2 to be positioned in exactly the right manner as shown in Fig. 4, to receive the coils of springs which slide into said slots from the aforesaid surface 55. The longitudinal adjustment of said head 5 is effected by means of a lever S5 shown in Fig. 2 which is pivotally secured between its ends to the machine frame and is equipped with a substantially cylindrical end portion 5l which engages in the slot l of the head 5, the other end portion of said lever being bifurcated and having arcuate ends engaged between collars 62 on a setscrew 53 equipped with a knurled nut 55, the threaded shank of said set screw being engaged in a threaded opening in the machine frame.

As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the plunger 8 is provided with a recess 55 disposed opposite the mouth of the recess 8 of the member 2Y so that the terminal end of a spring may pass through said recess of said plunger into said recess 8 of said member 2 after the lower end coil of another spring has been inserted into the slot 6 of said member 2. Said last-mentioned end coil passes over the projection 55 of' the plunger 9 and is received in the recess 5l thereof.

The operator is expected to position the terminal end of the spring C so that it will lie in the recess 55 and similarly that the terminal coil of spring B will lie in the recess 5l of the plunger 9 when the latter attains the upper limit of its movement but carelessness has served to cause one or other of the springs to be improperly positioned with the result that the wire becomes disposed between the top of the plunger 9 and the plate l5 and causes the head 2 to be broken in the absence of cushioning means to prevent such a contingency and, to this end the bearing 'ill for the main shaft 22 is a rocking bearing (see Figs. 23 and 24) which is provided at opposite sides with recesses to receive the pivot ends of set screws li. The common axis of said screws and the recesses in which they engage is perpendicular to and intersects the axis of the said shaft 22.

The shaft 53 axially aligned and rigid with the shaft 22 is journalled in a bearing it disposed adjacent to the collar which carries the cam 36 (see Figs. l, 22 and 25) and is supported upon the compression spring i3 bearing against the flat bottom surface of said bearing. Said 'spring 'i3 is supported upon a vertically adjustable block 'Effi carried by a set-screw 'i5 mounted in a bracket 'it and threaded into the same but engaging in a smooth Walled recess in said block lil.

An adjustable stop-pin 'il (Fig. l) engages in a recess 'I8 and limits the downward movement of the bearing 'M and holds it against rotation. A guide-pin 'E9 diametrically opposite the pin 11 is cut away in part and engages the block 19, which carries the bearing for the shaft Il to limit the upward movement of the bearing I2 and also holds the latter against travel along said shaft in one direction,

The said spring 'E3 is adjusted to exert suflicient pressure upon the bearing 12 and the cam 38 and thus upon the plunger 9 to hold the latter at the upper limit of its movement during the knotting operation to cause said plunger 9 to eiTect the bending of the end-coil of spring B to form the offset about which the terminal end of spring C is coiled and to prevent the said plunger 9 from yielding to the pressure exerted on said oiset during rotation of the member 2 to perform the knotting operation.

In the event that either of the wires to be jointed by the knotting operation becomes disposed between the plate il) and a high part of the plunger at either side of a recess 55 or 61, the spring i3 will permit the plunger 9 to stop at the lower point and thus prevent the exertion of such pressure on the head 4 as will tend to break the same.

During the knotting operation, it happens occasionally that a spring end lying within the recess 8 of the member 2 is broken 01T. When this occurs, the operation of the machine is interrupted until said broken end has been extracted by means of a magnet through the open space between the plunger 9 and the plate l0.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

Fig. 18 shows two springs B and C in position in the machine, ready to be connected with each other thereby, the punch-press clutch being in idle or released position. rThe member 2 and the plunger 9 are now in the respective positions shown in Figs. 2 and 18, as is also the cam 36 as shown in Fig. 2. The spring B is shown as having been previously connected with a spring A.

The plunger 9 is now disposed so that its upper end is substantially flush with the recess 8 in the member 2, the terminal portion of spring C being passed ovei` said plunger when inserted into said recess 8.

The portion of the lower terminal coil of the spring B, which is diametrically opposite the point of the latters connection with the spring A, has been inserted into the slot of the member 2 as shown in Figs. 8 and 18. The slot 6 of member 2 as well as the front edge of the portion 4 of the head are opposed to the front edge of the table to which the machine is secured, so that the connection of the spring B with the spring A having been completed, the operator will have moved the spring A toward the front of the table to release it and the tie-knot with spring B from the mechanism and moved the two springs A and B to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 18. Then the extremity of the lower terminal coil of the spring C is inserted into the recess 3 of the member 2.

The operator now throws in the punch-press clutch by means of the link 263 and foot-lever (not shown) which causes instant operation of the mechanism to rotate the cam in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 2 to throw the plunger 9 upwardly and thereby bend the portion of the lower terminal coil of the spring B as shown in Fig. 8 and also lift the extremity of the spring C which now rests upon said plunger 9.

During this upward movement of the plunger 9, the member 2 will have rotated through an arc approximately three times the length of the arc of travel of the cam 36 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the point at which the antifriction roller 38 becomes supported upon the arcuate peripheral face of the said cam.

This initial operation of the machine is shown clearly in Fig. 19, wherein there is shown the position of the recess 8 at the instant that the end of the flat portion of the cam surface lies in Vertical alignment with the axis of the roller and from which it is obvious that it is at this instant that both springs B and C are clamped against the plate l0 and that this occurs at substantially the instant of beginning of the coiling operation. The resistance to the latter produces a slight downward bend in the spring C contiguous to the inner face of the plunger 9, the depth of said bend being equal to the diameter of the wire of spring B, the springs being usually composed of wire of the same gauge, but not necessarily so.

The said arc of movement of said cam approximates thirty degrees and would cause the member 2 to have rotated three times thirty degrees or ninety degrees from the position shown in Fig. 2 the position shown in Fig. 19, so that at the time the said extremity of the spring C has been clamped between the plunger il and the plate I0, there will be no bend in the same, and at the same instant that the clamping is accomplished, the said extremity of spring C will be underneath and disposed in intersecting relation to the bent portion of the terminal coil of spring B spanning the space between the plunger 9 and the member 2, the further rotation of the member 2 causing the said extremity of spring C to be coiled about said end coil of spring B as said terminus of the spring C is withdrawn from the recess 8.

At the instant that the shoulder of the cam 36 at the meeting point of the arcuate portion 38, thereof, with the circumferential face of said cam, has passed the anti-friction roller 39, the plunger will have moved back to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the punch-press clutch will have been automatically released to stop the entire mechanism so that it will again be positioned as shown in Fig. 2.

The operator then moves the newly joined springs B and C toward the front edge of the table, lifts the joined portion thereof over the head d and passes the portion of the lower end coil of the spring C diametrically opposite the newly formed knot into the head or member 2, disposes another spring in the position of the spring C, (as shown in Fig. 9) and repeats the operation as above described, thus producing a series or row of inter-connected springs of any desired length or comprising any desired nurnber of Springs.

After the rst two springs of a series have been knotted together at one end, they are inverted and knotted together at their other ends. Then another spring is added and when knotted at one end, the series of three springs is inverted and the other end-knot for the third spring completed, these operations being repeated until a row of the desired number of springs has been completed.

It will be understood, of course, that the members 2 having slots 5 of different dimension, must be interchanged to accommodate wires of different gauges and that, likewise, the plates l of different thicknesses must be mounted in place for cooperation with said member 2 and plunger 9, according to diierences in the gauge or diameter of the Wire being used, said plate I being of less thickness as the gauge or diameter of the Wire increases and vice versa.

As shown in Fig. 2, the connection of the plunger 40 With the plunger 9 is effected by means of a threaded member 68 and spacing plates 69, whereby the total length of the clamping plunger 9 may be varied as required to accommodate wire of different gauges.

The plungers 9 and 48 are suitably disposed in bearing blocks as shown, which are arranged to permit easy removal and replacement of said plungers for purpose of adjustment as indicated.

In Figs. 9 and 18, there is illustrated only the preferred relative arrangement of the springs knotted together by the machine, it being obvious that said arrangement may be varied as desired.

While the machine is illustrated and described in its adaptation to the specific functions to be performed with reference to springs, the invention is not to be limited to this particular adaptation as the machine may be used for many other specific purposes Without change or with such slight changes as lie within the skill of engineers and mechanics.

I claim as my invention:

l. A machine of the kind specified comprising a rotatable member having a longitudinal slot extending from end to end thereof and from its axis to its circumferential face for receiving a wire about which said member is rotatable, a recess in one end of said member at one side of said slot and extending parallel with the axis of said member for receiving the end portion of a Wire to be coiled about said first-named wire, a clamping means common to both said Wires opposed to the recessed end of said member and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil to be formed, a projection on said last-named end of said member spaced from the said recess and from the said slot for engaging the extreme end portion of the last-mentioned Wire as it leaves said recess during rotation of said member and bending the same to complete the coiling operation, and power mechanism for actuating said clamping means and rotating said member.

2. A machine of the kind specified comprising a rotatable member having a` longitudinal slot extending from end to end thereof and from its axis to its circumferential face for receiving a wire about which said member is rotatable, a recess in one end of said member at one side of said slot and extending parallel with the axis of said member for receiving the end portion of a Wire to be coiled about said first-named Wire, a clamping means common to both said wires opposed to the recessed end of said member and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil to be formed and arranged for cooperation with said slot to bend said first-mentioned wirev to provide a short coilreceiving portion extending angularly to and off-setting adjacent portions of said Wire from each other, a projection on said last-named end 0f said member spaced from the said recess and from the said slot engaging the extreme end portion of the last-mentioned wire as it leaves said recess during rotation of said member and bending the same to complete the coiling opertion and power mechanism for actuating said clamping means and rotating said member.

3. A machine of the kind specified comprising a rotatable member having a longitudinal slot extending from end to end thereof and from its axis to its circumferential face for receiving a Wire about which said member is rotatable, a recess in one end of said member at one side of said slot and extending parallel with the axis of said member for receiving the end portion of a wire to be coiled about said first-named Wire, a clamping means common to both said Wires opposed to the recessed end of said member and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil to be formed, a projection on said last-named end of said member spaced from the said recess and from the said slot for engaging the extreme end portion of the last-mentioned Wire as it leaves said recess during rotation of said member and bending the same to complete the coiling operation, mechanism for actuating said clamping means to engage said wires during the period of rotation of said member and mechanism for rotating the said member.

4. A machine of the kind specified comprising a rotatable member having a longitudinal slot extending from end to end thereof and from its axis to its circumferential face for receiving a Wire about which said member is rotatable, a recess in one end of said member at one side of said slot and extending parallel with the axis of said member for receiving the end portion of a wire to be coiled about said first-named Wire, a clamping means common to both said Wires opposed to the recessed end of said member and spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil to be formed and arranged for cooperation with said slot to bend said first-mentioned Wire to provide a short coilreceiving portion extending angularly to and offsetting adjacent portions of said Wire from each other, a projection on said last-named end of said member spaced from the said recess and from the said slot for engaging the extreme end portion of the last-mentioned Wire as it leaves said recess during rotation of said member and bending the same to complete the coiling operation, mechanism for actuating said clamping means to engage said Wires during the period of rotation of said member, `and mechanism for rotating the said member.

5. In a machine of the kind specified, mechanism for coiling an end portion of one spring about an arcuate portion of another spring, cornprising ta cylindrical rotatable member having a central opening therein substantially equal in diameter at one end thereof with the diameter of the wire of the arcuate portion of said spring and flared along its other end portion, there being a radial longitudinal slot in said member throughout its length connecting said central opening With its circumferential face and affording an entrance for said arcuate portion of said spring, a recess in the end of said member wherein said opening is of smallest diameter and extending parallel with and spaced from the axis of said member and adapted to receive the end portion of the rst-named spring, clamping means opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of said member a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil to be formed about said second spring, a projection on said last-named end of said member spaced from said recess and said slot for bending the ultimate extremity of said first-named spring following its Withdrawal from said recess during rotation of said member to complete the coiling operation, power mechanism Common to said member and said clamping means for causing the latter to engage both springs substantially throughout the period of rotation of said member, and manually operable means for limiting the rotation of said member to a predetermined number of revolutions and automatically releasing said clamping means at substantially the instant of cessation of rotation of said member.

6. In a machine of the type specified, a rotatable member equipped with a radial slot extending throughout its length and to its axis and having a recess in one end parallel with and spaced from its axis and from said slot, said recess adapted to receive the terminus of a wire to be coiled about another wire extending through said slot, a clamping plunger opposed to the recessed end of said member and spaced therefrom for engaging said respective wires, mechanism for rotating said member and throwing and holding said plunger in wire-clamping position during a predetermined time interval covering a predetermined number of revolutions of said member, a source of power for actuating said member and said plunger, a manually controlled self-releasing punch-press clutch interposed between the source of power and said mechanism for actuating the latter during said interval and a brake engaged with said mechanism for preventing movement thereof beyond the instant of self-release of said clutch.

7. In a machine of the type specified, a rotatable member equipped with a radial slot extending throughout its length and to its axis and having a recess in one end parallel with and spaced from its axis and from said slot, said recess adapted to receive the terminus of a wire to be coiled about another wire extending through said slot, selfrestoring wire-clamping mechanism common to both said wires opposed to and spaced from the recessed end of said member, a rotatable cam for actuating said mechanism, a drive-shaft actuating said cam, gearing between the said shaft and said member for imparting to the latter a predetermined number of revolutions of said cam, a source of power for actuating said shaft, a manually controlled self-releasing punch-press clutch interposed between the source of power and said mechanism for actuating the latter during said interval, and a brake engaged with said shaft for preventing movement thereof beyond the instant of self-release of said clutch.

8. In a machine of the kind specified, a driveshaft, a source of power, a manually controlled self-releasing punch-press clutch interposed between the said shaft and said source of power and arranged to impart to said shaft a single revolution after each throw-in of s-aid clutch, a cam on said shaft, a countershaft, gearing between the latter and said first-named shaft for imparting to the former a predetermined number of complete revolutions for each revolution of said first-named shaft, a spur-gear wheel on said countershaft for actuating a rotatable wire-coiling member, a wire-cl-amping member engaged with said cam for actuation by the latter, a removable adjustable member equipped with a companion device for said clamping member and with a bearing for the said coiling member, gear teeth on the latter for meshing with the last-mentioned spur-gear wheel, and means for adjusting the last-mentioned member for effecting proper positioning of said coiling member relatively to said last-mentioned spur-gear wheel and said wire-clamping plunger.

9. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with a wire-coiling member rotatable about a wire to receive the coiled end of another wire and engaged with the latter for coiling the same about the first-named wire, of clamping mechanism for engaging both said wires and holding the same against relative movement at points contiguous to the coiling zone of the machine during rotation of said coiling member, mechanism for actuating the latter and said clamping mechanism simultaneously, the latter positioned for cooperation with said coiling member to bend said first-mentioned wire and bringing the second wire into intersecting position relatively to the first-mentioned wire precedent to clamping both said wires, thereby to cause the second-n-amed wire to be coiled about a bent portion of the first-mentioned wire.

10. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with mechanism for coiling the terminal end of one spring about a coil of another including a rotatable member adapted to receive and rotate about the last-mentioned coil and equipped with means for engaging the said terminal portion of the other spring for coiling the same around said coil, and a means for engaging both said springs against relative movenient during the rotation of said member, said means arranged for cooperation with said member to distort said coil as the same is engaged thereby to provide a formation therein about which the said terminal end is coiled and which confines the coiled portion against movement along said portion of said first-named spring engaged thereby.

1l. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with mechanism for coiling the terminal end of one spring about a coil of another including a rotatable member adapted to receive and rotate about the last-mentioned coil and equipped with means for engaging the said terminal portion of the other spring for coiling the same around said coil, and a means for engaging both said springs against relative movement during the rotation of said member, said means arranged for cooperation with said member to bend said coil to provide an offset therein of a length substantially equal to the length of and position to receive the terminal coil and confine the same against movement along the coil embraced thereby.

l2. Mechanism for coiling a terminal portion of one wire about a companion wire between the ends of the latter, comprising a rotatable member through which the last-named wire extends approximately axially of said member, means at one end of said member offset from the axis thereof for engaging the terminal portion of the first-named wire for rotating the same through a circular path concentric with the axis of said rotatable member and causing it to be disengaged from said means progressively as it is coiled about the companion wire and means for clamping the companion wire against rotation during the rotation of said member.

13. Mechanism for coiling a terminal portion of one wire about a companion wire between the ends of the latter, comprising a rotatable member through which the last-named wire extends approximately axially of said member, means at one end of said member parallel with and offset from the axis thereof for engaging the terminal portion of the first-named wire to be coiled about said companion wire for rotating the same in a circular path concentric with the axis of said rotatable member and means for clamping' both said Wires at points spaced from the said member and from the portions of said wires engaged by said member for preventing relative movement of said wires during the rotation of said member, said terminal portion of the firstnamed wire being disengaged progressively from said means as it is coiled about the companion wire.

14. In a machine of the type specified, a rotatable head provided with a radial slot throughout its length extending from its axial portion to its periphery for receiving a portion of a wire intermediate the ends of the latter, clamping means opposed to and spaced from one end of said head for engaging said wire against rotation, means on the last-named end of said head parallel with and spaced from said slot for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire, means on said clamping means for engaging the last-namedV Wire at a point adjacent its .said terminal end portion for causing the latter to be maintained in engaging relation to said means on said head and to be released therefrom progressively during rotation of the latter and While the said end portion is being coiled about the iirst-mentioned Wire and a projection at the end of said head opposed to said clamping means for completing the coiling operation after said termin-al end portion of the second named wire is released from said means on said head during rotation of the latter.

15. Mechanism for coiling a terminal portion of one wire about a companion wire between the ends of the latter, comprising a rotatable member through which the last-named wire extends longitudinally and in a position to permit said member to rotate about said wire, a recess in one end of said member spaced from its axis and adapted to receive the terminal end portion of another wire, a shoulder on said end of said member spaced from its axis and from the said recess, a wire clamping device spaced from the said end of said member for engaging both of said wires during rotation of said member, mechanism eifecting forced rotation of said member and means co-ordinated 'with said last-named mechanism for actuating said clamping device to engage said Wires substantially simultaneously with the beginning of rotation of said member and releasing said Wire substantially simultaneously with the cessation of rotation of said member, said terminal portion of wire engaged in said recess being withdrawn progressively during rotation of said member and the ultimate end portion being engaged and bent by said shoulder to complete the coil about the second wire.

16. In a machine of the type specified, a rotatable head provided with a radial slot throughout its length extending from its axial portion to its periphery for receiving a portion of a wire intermediate the ends of the latter, means on the last-named end of said head spaced from said slot for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire, wire-clamping mechanism common to both Wires and spaced from said lastnamed end portion of said head for retaining said wires in predetermined relative positions and in operative relation to said head during rotation of the latter, and manually controlled mechanism for causing said clamping mechanism to engage said wires and causing said head to begin rotation substantially simultaneously and to cause said clamping mechanism to release said wires substantially simultaneously with the cessation of rotation of said head.

17. In a machine of the type specified, a rotatable head provided with a radial slot throughout its length extending from its axial portion to its periphery for receiving a portion of a wire intermediate the ends of the latter, clamping means opposed to and spaced from one end of said head for engaging said Wire ag-ainst rotation, the last-named end of said head equipped -with means parallel with the axis of rotation of said head and spaced from said slot for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire, means on said clamping means for engaging the last-named wire at a-point adjacent its said terminal end portion for causing the latter to be maintained in engagement with said means on said head during rotation of the latter whereby the said end portion Will be coiled about the iirstmentioned Wire and progressively disengaged from said last-n-amed means and manually controlled, automatically self-restoring means for causing said head to rotate a predetermined numberof complete revolutions and for throwing said clamping mechanism into and maintaining the same in engagement with said Wires during each period of rotation of said head.

18. In a machine of the type specied, a rotat-able head provided with a radial slot through-V out its length extending from its axial portion to its periphery for receiving a portion of a wire intermediate the ends of the latter, means on the last-named end of said head parallel with and spaced from said slot for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire and rotating the latter in a circular path concentric with the axis oi rotation of said head, and wire-clamping mechanism equipped with spaced-apart wirespacing means spaced from the last-mentioned end of said head for engaging and retaining said wires against relative movement in predetermined relative positions during rotation of said head and in operative position relatively to the latter, said terminal end portion of said second Wire being withdrawn from engagement with the said first-named means as the coiling operation progresses.

19. In a machine of the type speciiied, a rotatable head provided with a radial slot throughout its lengh extending from its axial portion to its periphery for receiving a portion of a wire intermediate the ends of the latter, the lastnamed end of said head equipped with means parallel with its axis of rotation and spaced from said slot for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire and rotating the same through a circular path concentric with said -axis of rotation and wire clamping means opposed to and spaced from the last-mentioned end of said head a dist-ance equal, substantially, to the length of the coil to be formed about the first-named wire and equipped with formations for maintaining the portions of said wires engaged thereby spaced from each other and a projection at one end of said head for engaging the terminal end of the second-named Wire as the latter is released from the aforesaid me-ans and completing the ceiling operation.

20. In a machine of the type specified, the combination with a rigid Wire-clamping head, a rotatable coilng head equipped with means for receiving a wire about which the same is rotatable, means at one end of said ceiling head spaced from its axis of rot-ation for engaging the end portion of a wire to be coiled about the irstnamed Wire during rotation of said coiling head, of a movable Wire-clamping member arranged Cil for cooperation with the rigid clamping he-ad for engaging both said wires and equipped with means for maintaining said wires in predetermined relative position when engaged thereby, said clamping head and member arranged to engage said wires at a point spaced from said end oi said coiling head a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil resulting from Winding the end portion of the second Wire about the rst Wire and means in said head parallel with and spaced from its 4axis of rotation for receiving said end portion of said second-named wire and causing the same to be rotated in a circular path and progressively disengaged from the same as said end portion is coiled about the first named wire, said first named means on said head operating upon the extremity of said end portion after its release from said last named means for completing the coiling operation.

21. In a machine of the type specified, the combination with a rigid Wire-clamping head, a rotatable coiling head equipped with means for receiving a Wire about Which the same is rotatable, means at one end of said coiling head spaced from its axis of rotation for engaging the end portion of a Wire to be coiled about the firstnamed Wire during rotation of said coiling head, of a movable Wire-clamping member arranged for cooperation with the rigid clamping head for engaging both said Wires and equipped with means for maintaining said wires in predetermined relative position when engaged thereby, said clamping head and member arranged to engage said wires at a point spaced from said end of said coiling head a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil resulting from Winding the end-portion of the second Wire about the first wire and synchronized power actuated manually controlled mechanism for causing said movable clamping member to move into and remain in engagement with said wires during a predetermined time interval and causing said coiling head to rotate through a predetermined number of complete revolutions during said interval.

22. In a machine of the type specified, the combination with a rigid wire-clamping head, a rotatable coiling head equipped with means for receiving a Wire about which the same is rotatable, means at one end of said coiling head spaced from its axis of rotation for engaging the end portion of a Wire to be coiled about the rstnamed Wire during rotation of said coiling head, of a movable wire-clamping member arranged for cooperation with the rigid clamping head for engaging both said wires, and provided with recesses to receive said respective Wires for maintaining the latter in predetermined relative positions when engaged thereby, said clamping head and member arranged to engage said wires at a point spaced from said end of said coiling head a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil resulting from Winding the end portion of the second wire about the rst Wire.

23. In a` machine of the type specified, the combination with a rigid Wire-clamping head, a rotatable coiling head equipped with means for receiving a wire about which the same is rotatable, means at one end of said coiling head spaced from its axis of rotation for engaging the end portion of a wire to be coiled about the firstnained Wire during rotation of said coiling head, of a movable Wire-clamping member arranged for cooperation with the rigid clamping head for engaging both said Wires, and provided With recesses to receive said respective Wires for maintaining the latter in predetermined relative positions when engaged thereby, said clamping head and member arranged to engage said Wires at a point spaced from said end of said coiling head a distance substantially equal to the length of the coil resulting from Winding the end portion of the second Wire about the first wire and synchronized power-actuated manually controlled mechanism for causing said movable clamping member to move into and remain in engagement with said wires during a predetermined time interval and causing said coiling head to rotate through a predetermined number of complete revolutions during said interval.

24. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a Wire and equipped at one end with means for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire for coiling the same about the first-named wire, of Wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coiling head and comprising a rigid member and a reciprocable member opposed thereto, the latter provided with a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the said respective wires,

' an actuating shaft geared to said coiling head,

a cam on said shaft for moving said reciprocable member into Wire-clamping position and a spring associated With said clamping mechanism to permit the same to adjust itself to a position to accommodate a misplaced Wire and avoid breakage.

25. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a wire and equipped at one end with means for engaging the terminal end portion of another Wire for coiling the same about the first-named wire, of wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coiling head and comprising a rigid member and a. reciprocable member opposed thereto, the latter provided With a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the said respective Wires, an actuating shaft geared to said coiling head, a cam on said shaft for moving said reciprocable member into Wire-clamping position and a cushioning spring associated with said movable portion of said clamping mechanism for causing the latter to adjust itself automatically to accommodate wires of differing gauges and to misplacement of Wires with respect to said recesses.

26. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination With a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a wire and equipped at one end with means for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire for coiling the same about the first-named wire, of wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coilmg head and comprising a rigid member and a. reciprocable member opposed thereto, the latter provided With a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the said respective wires, an actuating shaft geared to said coiling head, a cam on said shaft for moving said reciprocable member into wire-clamping position, bearings for said actuating shaft to permit the latter to move from its normal position and a spring arranged to hold said shaft in normal position While causing the same to shift from said position in the event that wire should become misplaced between the Wire-clamping surfaces of the clamping mechanism.

27. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination With a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a wire and equipped at one end withl means for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire for coiling the same about the firstnamed wire, of wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coiling head and comprising a rigid member and a reciprocable member opposed thereto, the latter provided with a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the said respective wires, an actuating shaft geared to said coiling head, a cam on said shaft for moving said reciprocable member into wire-clamping position, a rocking bearing for one end portion of said shaft and a springsupported bearing for the other end portion thereof disposed adjacent to said cam.

28. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a wire and equipped at one end with means for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire for coiling the same about the'rstnamed Wire, of Wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coiling head and comprising a rigid member and a reciprocable member opposed thereto, the latter provided with a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the said respective wires, an actuating shaft geared to said coiling head, a cam on said shaft for moving said reciprocable member into wire-clamping position, a rocking bearing for one end portion of said shaft, and a spring-supported bearing for the other end portion thereof disposed adjacent to said cam, and means for adjusting the pressure of said spring to prevent said clamping mechanism from yielding to stress occasioned by rotation of the coiling head.

29. In a machine of the kind specied, the combination with a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a wire and equipped at one end with means for engaging the terminal end portion of another Wire for coiling the same about the first-named wire, of wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coiling head and comprising a rigid member presenting an anvil surface spaced from the axis of rotation of said coiling head, a reciprocable member provided in the face opposed to said anvil surface with spaced apart recesses for the reception of the respective wires, power actuated means for moving said reciprocable member toward said rigid member and rotating said coiling head and arranged to effect said movement of said reciprocable member substantially simultaneously with the beginning of rotation of said coiling head and retaining said clamping mechanism in clamping position throughout the period of rotation of said coiling head, said rstnamed wire being bent by said movement of said reciprocable member into clamping position, and a spring engaged with said clamping mechanism for causing the reciprocable member to remain at a lower than normal clamping position in event of misplacement of a Wire out of its recess.

30. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with a coiling head arranged to be rotatable about a wire and equipped at one end with means for engaging the terminal end portion of another wire for coiling the same about the first-named Wire, of Wire-clamping mechanism opposed to and spaced from the last-named end of the coiling head and comprising a rigid member presenting an anvil surface spaced from the axis of rotation of said coiling head, a reciprocable member provided in the face opposed to said anvil surface with spaced apart recesses for the reception of respective wires, power actuated means for moving said reciprocable member toward said rigid member and rotating said coiling head, said clamping means cooperating with said head for effecting bending of the rst-named Wire to provide an offset therein extending angularly to the remaining portions thereof and spanning the space between said head and said clamping means and about which the terminal end portion of the companion Wire is coiled.

31. In a machine of the kind specified, a rotatable head provided with a radial slot extending from end to end of said head and having an inner end wall extending around and spaced from the axis of said head, the said slot extending to the periphery of said head and being adapted to receive a portion of a wire about which the terminal end portion of a wire disposed substantially parallel therewith is intended to be coiled, means on said head spaced from the axis of the latter and from said slot for receiving and engaging said terminal end portion of wire, said slot and said means cooperating to maintain said respective portions of wire initially spaced apart and clamping means common to both said Wire portions for engaging the same at points adjacent to and spaced from the portions thereof engaging in said slot and said rst means for maintaining said adjacent portions spaced from each other during rotation of said head, the rotation of said head causing said end portion of Wire to be progressively released from said means as it is coiled about the other wire portion.

CHACE D. GILMORE. 

